rituals

Answering questions about Father Christmas: How do you do Santa in your house?

December 18, 2011 By Martine 14 Comments

When it comes to questions about Santa’s extraordinary stamina and logistical feats on Christmas Eve, we as parents are often heard gesticulating about the magic of Christmas and the power of believing. To the innocent and unsuspecting little minds, those hooves clippity clapping on the rooftop never break a single roof tile and their tummies are never full from ingesting a gazillion carrots. Santa, no surprise is a little on the tubby side, but never leaves more than a few crumbs behind from the cookies, milk and occasional beer. Lucky for him Rudolph has that nose to guide a slightly sloshed Santa through the skyways to deliver all the goodies for all the boys and girls. I like the idea of Santa. I like the magic of Christmas and I like joy he brings to all the little girls and boys. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Modern Parenting Tagged With: beliefs, Christmas, rituals, traditions

Football and family: 6 reasons why football makes me a better parent

October 2, 2011 By Martine 1 Comment

As I bask in the glory of post Grand Final elation, I begin to wonder why football means so much to me and my family. (some of the members anyway). What is it that has us out in rain or hail, turning up every week and planning our yearly calendar around a game that has grown men running around after a rather oddly shaped ball?

What I came up with was a whole range of reasons. And with that was a whole range of reasons why football makes me a better parent and is hopefully teaching my children some very valuable life lessons. I know I have many friends who just dont “get it”, so here now is my attempt to enlighten you with the things football has given me and will hopefully continue to give to my kids for many years to come.

1. Elation, Jubilation and Joy: this one I am still well in the midst of less than 24 hours after celebrating my teams 3rd Grand Final win in 5 years. Having something in our lives that brings such happiness can only be a great thing.

2. Pride: Along with that joy comes pride. The pride of belonging to a club, of feeling part of a team and a valued member of a community is a notion that should be fostered and instilled in our kids. To have pride in achievements, effort and accomplishments both as an individual and a as team is one way of ensuring that one will always try their best whilst remaining humble and respectful towards those around them.

                                  Photo [Read more...]

Filed Under: Modern Parenting, More Joy Less Stress Tagged With: connecting, coping, family, football, happiness, pride, Resilience, rituals

Rituals, Holidays and Family Traditions

April 21, 2011 By Martine 5 Comments

Rituals ,holidays and family traditions are what help make our families unique. These are the events that happen pretty much no matter what. They are the moments we can rely on, the occasions we can rejoice in and the times that help keep everything stable and predictable.

Rituals can be daily or weekly happenings such as saying ‘I love you’ each night before bed, reading a bedtime story, having a Sunday roast together, pizza on Friday nights or going to the footy each week. They can also be annual events such as holidays, celebrations or regular ways to commemorate occasions like birthdays, Easter, Christmas or summer holidays.

Growing up I was so privileged to have many rituals and family traditions that are certainly my strongest memories of childhood. They are the times I felt secure, surrounded by people that loved and cared for me, but also the times that made life predictable yet still exciting. When I think about the childhood I am helping to create for my boys, I know also that many of their greatest memories will be of the family rituals and traditions that we have both consciously and sub-consciously created. Creating wonderful childhood memories can also be particularly helpful during challenging times or times of grief. [Read more...]